Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) revealed what the service is calling the “staggering results” of a series of investigations into online child sexual abuse and exploitation Wednesday.
The multi-jurisdictional investigations, collectively called “Project Aquatic”, involved 27 police services from across the province, including those in the Greater Toronto Area.
Det. Staff Sgt. Tim Brown told reporters Wednesday that the investigation focused on people who make, access and distribute child sexual abuse material.
There are now 64 people across Ontario facing a total of 348 charges, he said, with 34 child victims involved. Police say they seized 607 digital devices as part of the investigation.
“Child sexual exploitation is a grave crime with lasting effects,” Brown said in a statement. “We’re dedicated to prevention and accountability. We need everyone’s support to combat this community issue.”
In a news release issued Wednesday, police said during the course of the investigation, one person set up a meeting with undercover officers thinking they would be meeting with a child.
In another instance, police found a person who was in possession of about 21 terabytes of data including child sexual abuse material.
A police-provided list of people charged linked to the case lists individuals from across the province, and one man from Alberta.